–CM Bhagwant Singh Mann flags off largest-ever batch of teachers for Finland training; calls for revolutionary classroom reforms after their return
Chandigarh, May 16
In a major boost to Punjab’s rapidly growing education reform movement, ‘Sikhya Kranti’, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday flagged off the largest-ever batch of 72 government school teachers for advanced training in Finland. The Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government’s continuous investment in teacher training, modern infrastructure and academic reforms has transformed Punjab into the country’s leading state in education.
Highlighting the changing educational landscape in Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said government schools in the state are now outperforming private schools in board examination results. He added that lakhs of parents are actively participating in Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), which were introduced for the first time in government schools by the present government.
Addressing the teachers before their departure, the Chief Minister said that the selected teachers would undergo advanced pedagogical training at the globally renowned University of Turku in Finland till May 29. The programme will expose them to modern teaching methodologies, innovative classroom practices, student-centric learning models and internationally benchmarked education systems.
watch…..ਆਪ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ 4 ਸਾਲ: ਗਾਰੰਟੀਆਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ, ਨਸ਼ੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇੜੇ
Calling teachers the “true nation builders,” CM Mann said the Punjab Government is not only upgrading infrastructure but also rebuilding the entire educational ecosystem from the grassroots level. He said Punjab’s education reforms are now delivering measurable and nationally recognised results.
Referring to recent educational indicators released by NITI Aayog, the Chief Minister stated that Punjab has surpassed several traditionally strong educational states, including Kerala, Maharashtra and Haryana, across multiple school education parameters. He added that Punjab has shown exceptional improvement in Mathematics, Science and Language proficiency, while also emerging as a leader in smart school infrastructure, digital learning and classroom management standards.
Emphasising the significance of the Finland training programme, CM Mann said the initiative is part of a larger strategy to equip Punjab’s teachers with international exposure and future-ready educational practices. He clarified that the programme is not merely a foreign visit, but a structured learning experience aimed at bringing innovation directly into Punjab’s classrooms.
The Chief Minister said the teachers would closely study Finland’s globally acclaimed education system, known for conceptual learning, critical thinking, emotional well-being of students and reduced emphasis on rote learning. The training would also focus on collaborative teaching techniques, classroom engagement, assessment reforms and technology integration in education.
Referring to the impact of earlier international training batches, CM Mann said trained teachers have already introduced more interactive learning environments, student-friendly teaching approaches and improved classroom discipline in Punjab’s government schools.
Highlighting infrastructure improvements, the Chief Minister said computers are now available in nearly 99 percent of government schools, while electricity connectivity has reached almost 99.9 percent institutions across the state. These developments, he said, have laid the foundation for a technologically advanced and inclusive education system.
CM Mann also praised Punjab’s teachers for embracing reforms despite years of systemic challenges and lauded Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains for personally monitoring school reforms and infrastructure projects across the state.
The Chief Minister further stated that the government has consciously reduced the administrative burden on teachers so they can focus entirely on academics and student development. He said the appointment of campus managers and support staff has helped reduce non-teaching responsibilities for educators.
Referring to the recent Class 12 board examination results, CM Mann said the outstanding performance of government school students reflects the success of Punjab’s education reforms. He noted with pride that three girl students secured a perfect score of 500 out of 500 marks while also excelling in sports like fencing, handball and basketball.
He added that Punjab’s government school students are emerging as confident, multidimensional personalities capable of excelling in every field, thereby challenging long-standing perceptions regarding public education in India.
Highlighting growing public trust in government schools, CM Mann said nearly 24 lakh parents participated in PTMs across Punjab to discuss their children’s academic performance, career aspirations and overall development. He described this as a strong sign of renewed confidence in public education.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to continuous educational innovation, the Chief Minister announced that teachers would continue to be sent for specialised training programmes at globally reputed institutions, including centres in Singapore and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
He said the Punjab Government is committed to building a sustainable public education model capable of competing with the best systems globally by simultaneously investing in teachers, students and infrastructure.
Congratulating the Punjab School Education Board, teachers, officials, students and parents for the remarkable progress achieved in recent years, CM Mann said Punjab’s government schools are steadily becoming the first choice of parents and students alike.
“The message from the Punjab Government is loud and clear — Punjab’s classrooms are not merely changing, they are being reinvented to compete on the global stage,” he added.
Finland Training Programme for Primary Teachers (18–29 May 2026)
- Under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has already sent 216 primary cadre teachers to Finland in three previous batches since 2024.
- The fourth batch includes 72 teachers comprising Head Teachers (HTs), Centre Head Teachers (CHTs), Block Primary Education Officers (BPEOs) and ETT teachers.
- The selection process was conducted online through a transparent, merit-based three-stage verification system.
- The selected batch includes 43 ETT teachers, 16 HTs, 12 CHTs and 1 BPEO.
- During the two-week programme, teachers will visit Teacher Training Centres in Turku and Rauma to study globally recognised teaching methods and leadership-building practices.
- Teachers will also work on innovative academic projects that they will implement in their respective schools after returning to Punjab to improve learning outcomes and educational quality.
